As much as I love fairytale retellings, I’m equally wary of venturing into them. I shouldn’t have worried about Ashley Poston’s Geekerella because it is every bit as delightful as I wanted it to be. Squinks, you’re in for a treat!

1. It was the cover that caught my eye. I love purple, in general, but there was something simultaneously sci-fi-y and fairytale-y about Geekerella’s cover that drew my eyes to it. There are also stars, and it almost felt like there would be fairy dust inside the book. Upon closer inspection, it was the girl in the glasses that sealed it for me. I just knew I had to read this.

2. I really like that Poston does not stray very far from the Cinderella story. I mean, that’s what a retelling is, right? She’s given it a modern twist and added the spunk to CinderELLEa/DaniELLE that I’ve always felt the original character had bubbling deep inside her. Elle handles her stepfamily really well, and it is with these characters that I think Poston shines. The stepsisters are truly UGH. Very well written.

3. I like stories that make use of different formats, so I am very fond of the texting scenes. I did find them a little … bland (sometimes), but then again, I’m OLD and have no idea what texts between teenagers are like today. Elle’s and Darien’s characters are developed very well through these exchanges.

4. I totally thought that Starfield was real. Shows what I know. But for anyone who’s ever geeked out over Doctor Who or Harry Potter (or any of the tons of fandoms out there), you’ll find a little bit of yourself in Elle. She’ll win you over, for sure.

5. There’s a part near the very beginning that has gotten some criticism. If that bit bothers you, I do very highly suggest that you do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We all hold different things dear. There is so much to love about this book, and I hope you don’t measure the whole of the book by that one small part.

6. Sage. She rocks. Everyone should have a Sage.

7. In other news, check out the book trailer for Geekerellahere. (Can’t you just see this novel being made into a movie?) Then go out and buy the book.

Happy 2016, Squinks! I can’t wait to hear about all the lovely books you read over the past month. Let me get you started with Betsy Cornwell’s Mechanica …

I need a second book! This story was just not enough … I want to know more! Mechanica will appeal to many readers, especially fairy-tale lovers like me. Now, hang on. I know some of you are not into retellings, which may be why you will pass up this book, but let me tell you why this version of “Cinderella” works.

1. I like happy endings. I like dénouements that tie loose ends tightly to lead into satisfying conclusions. I like knowing that Murdoch, Sherlock, and Sherlock are (usually) going to solve their cases by the time the episode is over and that a happily-ever-after ending awaits me. I feel free. I can enjoy unfettered catharsis until I get to the end of the ride, knowing that everything will be okay. I knew that unless this “Cinderella” was faithful to the Perrault or Grimm publications, I would find a happy resolution, so I had no hesitation filling up my coffee mug and picking up Mechanica.

2. I love strong female characters, and Nicolette Lampton is just that. But she’s not as unrealistic as some of her contemporaries – though she is just as unique and unlikely as they are. Instead of wielding swords and other weaponry, she uses her skills at inventing and innovating to improve not only her life but those of people around her. She is kind and empathetic, worrying about how her words affect others, and despite her disdain for doing the biddings of the Steps, she does her job with sincerity anyway. I think what I really loved most about Nicolette is her loyalty to Mr. Candery, her family’s erstwhile servant and friend. Her devastation at being separated from him shows me the very best of both her character and the human condition.

3. You’ll enjoy the banter between Caro and Fin. You’ll love, even more, the air of mystery that surrounds their characters, especially considering they take to Nicolette quite quickly. The word “soupçon” came to mind while I was reading their first few meetings.

4. My favourite character in the entire book is Jules, the loyal mechanical horse built by Nicolette’s mother and treasured by Nicolette herself. He ranks up there for me, along with the likes of other noble animals in literature like Charlotte, Stuart Little, and Hedwig.

5. Okay, one thing I’m still not quite sure of, in terms of how I feel, is the ending. Remember when I said I like happy endings? Well, there is a happy ending here, but it didn’t quite sweep me off my feet. I guess it’s because I had assumed this would be the only book, so I really wanted lilies to fall from the sky. However, the ending is so different and unexpected that I have to applaud Cornwell for completely shocking me with it. It’s a bold choice, and I know many will agree with it, even if it’s not my jolt of java.

6. If there were no sequel to Mechanica, I’d still be okay with the novel, and I do highly recommend it. The story is intriguing, the prose is beautiful, and the characters are endearing (well, except for the Steps). Find a rather short, but delightful, excerpt to read online here to get you started on the adventure.

7. But I really, really hope there is a follow-up because Cornwell’s reimagined world is a place I’d love to visit again.

8. ** Update AFTER I had typed up the original review: Click here for some awesome Mechanica news! **

* Teachers/parents, if you’d like a copy of the chapter-by-chapter reading questions that I give to my students, please feel free to email me!